The revivals in those counties have not been fo general among the people, as they have been in fome parts of our land, within a few years. That the reader may form a juft idea of the extenfiveness of the late revival, an account shall be given of all the Congregational churches in the three counties mentioned, and of the additions made to them the laft year. The towns of Effex and New-Haven. | by degrees; others have been adFrom that time serious inquiries mitted to broad day light at once, refpecting religion become more or feen Chrift to be the defire of frequent and earneft; and the peo- their fouls. ple of God were more given to prayer and other duties of religion; and there were frequently fome hopeful converfions. The prof pects continued favorable; and in the fpring of the year 1801, the bleffed work spread with light and power. Many finners have been convicted of their loft ftate, and many it is believed, have come to a faving clofe with Chrift. The attention has been remark-church in Cornwall confists of 132 able for its apparent genuinenefs. members, 18 have been added No irregularities, I think, can juft- within one year; the Rev. Benjaly be charged upon it. Sinners min Woofter is their paftor. The under awakening have been con- church in Bridport has 63 memvinced of their danger, of the di- bers; the Rev. Increase Groves vine rectitude, and of their loft is their minister; how many have ftate by nature. They have combeen added to this church of late plained much of ftubbornnefs of is not accurately known, they have heart, and fometimes fhown the shared in the late awakening. Midmost dreadful enmity against God dlebury church has 82 members, and the plan of falvation. When 53 have been added fince the late converted, they have fpoken much revival; Mr. Atwater the Prefiof their fins against God, have ap- dent of the new College in that peared to loath themselves as fin- place, preaches for them; his laners. A holy God, law and bors have been hopefully crowned government, and all the great truths with fuccefs. The church in Newof the gofpel have been exceeding Haven has 49 members, 34 have ly pleasant to their fouls. been added fince the late revival. Monkton church has 32 members; the church at Hinsburgh has 13; no additions have been made to either of late. Waitsfield church has 30 members, 9 added fince the revival; the Rev. William Salifbury was ordained their minifter in October laft. The church of Waterbury was organized fince the late revival, it now confifts of 21 members. The church in Richmond was organized about the fame time; it has fifteen members. Effex church has 44 members, 28 have been added fince the late revival. Weftford church has been formed fince the late-re At times they have been aftonished at the method of falvation through a Saviour. God's works and ways have appeared new to them; they would fay fometimes, I am in a new world; I can fee the glory of God stamped upon the whole of creation. The Bible alfo appear ed new to them; and by their attention to it, one would think, they thought every line of it was worth a mountain of gold. All have not been brought to Chrift with equal clearnefs; there has been a great difference in this refpect. Some have been under clouds, and gained evidence of their goad eftate vival, it now confifts of 34 members. The church in Georgia has 41 members, 22 have been added fince the late revival. Swanton church has been formed fince the late revival, it has now 25, members. There is a fmall church in Fairfield of thirteen members, these have mostly been added of late. The church in Williston has been increafed much of late. There is another church at Jericho, probably of about 30 members; and another at Cambridge of about the fame number. The Rev. Ebenezer Kingfbury is paftor of the church at Jericho. There are two churches more in the fouthwest part of Addifon county, but their numbers are small. There are no other regular Congregational churches in these three counties. In the late additions to thefe churches, fome have been added who were old profeffors, but the number of young converts who have not yet made a public profeffion of their faith, is great. Probably, therefore, one may form nearly a true estimate of the late revival, by the numbers added to the various churches. In fome other parts of these counties, there has been a gentle effufion of the Holy Spirit, and numbers of people hopefully converted. In the fouthern parts of the state there have been fome revival. Middletown, Poultney, and fome other towns in that vicinity, have experienced pleasant days, in refpect to the Redeemer's kingdom. Alfo on the eaft fide of the Green Mountain has been a powerful work of grace in fome towns ; particularly in Barnard, where about one hundred fouls have been added to the Congregational church, and fome with other denominations. Brookfield, under the preaching of the Rev. Mr. Lyman has had a refreshing fhower, and fome townsin that vicinity have been confiderably awakened. On the whole the cloud of divine mercy has stood over Vermont, this year; at least there have been fome fmall ones well stored with divine grace, whose contents have been poured down upon the hearts of men. Notwithstanding these revivalsin fome parts of the state, the great body of the towns through that vaft country have remained unmoved. There is a great field o-pened to the northward for miffion ary labors. May Zion pray, that the great Lord of the harvest would fend forth his laborers. JEDIDIAH BUSHNELL. February 16, 1802. N. B. The above account is brought down to the end of the year 1801, fince which the Edi tors have heard of feveral other places in which a particular ferioufnefs is begun. Remarks on 11. Kings vi. 16. IN the 11. Kings vi. 16. we read Fear not; for they that be with us are more than they that be with them. HESE words, though utter ed by Elifha with particular reference to himfelf and fervant when furrounded by the Syrians who fought his life, have led my thoughts to that divifion which exifts between intelligent beings as holy and finful, and to the ftrength, caufe and profpects of the finners and the ftrength, caufe and profpects of the faint: Every child of God may encourage his fellowfaint, when defponding in view of the dangers of the times, with the words of the prophet; Fear not; for they that be with us are more.. than they that be with them. The whole intelligent univerfe is, divided into two oppofing parties. There is the kingdom of darkness and the kingdom of light, or of fin and holiness. Let us first confider the ftrength of the finner. The wicked man is not alone; there are multitudes, who lend him their aid. All impenitent finners on earth espouse his caufe in oppofition to the faint and the kingdom to which he belongs. There are no neuters, no idle fpectators. He that gathereth not with Chrift fcattereth abroad. And what an army of wicked men is now on the ftage, who lend their power, their wifdom, their influence and wealth to fupport the caufe of error and fin! The infidel, the fcoffer and fenfualift can bring their thoufands to the field. They are found in every quarter of the world, amongst gospelized and heathen nations. It is probably the cafe that the far greater part of mankind with refpect to numbers, abilities, fcience, authority and riches contribute to the fupport of the finner's caufe directly or indirectly. The departed fpirits of all who died in their fins declare for the wicked man. By changing worlds they have not changed their feelings and become fubjects of another kingdom. They have only renewed the oath of allegiance and fworn eternal fidelity to the kingdom of unrighteoufnefs. What a vaft company is formed by all the wicked who have lived and died fince the world began! The fallen angels are in league with the finner; that great company of once holy, happy and exalted beings, who revolted from God and are referved unto judgment. They are using their influence to blind finners, to their state and character, to ruin the faint and de ftroy Chrift's kingdom. They prefent temptations and employ their feducing arts to lead aftray. and destroy the foul. Thefe evil fpirits too often fucceed in their attacks upon the Christian for his honor and peace. At the head of this numerous army ftands fatan, their leader, He was the first in the rebellion of heaven and the instigator of man's rebellion on earth. He is the most able and active supporter of the kingdom of darknefs. The fcriptures represent him as the adverfary of faints and as a roaring lion going about feeking whom he may devour. This prince of the infernal kingdom, is moft crafty in his fchemes and moft violent and fuccessful in his attacks of any fallen creature. The fame fpirit per vades this whole mafs of wicked beings whether on earth or in hell. They are united in their defirés and object. It would rejoice their hearts to deftroy the faint, over. turn the kingdom of Christ and dethrone Jehovah. Notwithstanding their defires, their expectations and great exertions they will not fuc ceed, for there are more that be with the faint than with the finner. This leads me to obferve, That the faint is befriended by all virtuous and godly men on earth. All the children of God in this world form but one family. They are fubjects of the fame kingdom and united in the fame cause. In this refpect, their parentage, their nation, their place of abode and outward circumstances make no difference. Whether in honor or obfcurity, in affluence or pover ty, in the eastern or weftern continent, they poffefs the fame fpirit and fupport, the fame kingdom. All Chriftians are bound together in love and daily meet at one fpot, the throne of divine grace. Eve resistible might, infinite wisdom and every divine attribute are employed ry faint is forwarding the glorious work and is encouraging and affifting all his fellow-faints by his ex-in building up the kingdom of ho ample and his prayers. The faints in heaven are amongst the friends of the good man; even all the ancient worthies and the eminent Christians fince the days of Chrift, that have fallen afleep. Though gone from earth they have not forfaken the caufe, nor is their attachment to it in the leaft diminished, but greatly ftrengthened. To those who had efpoufed the caufe of Christianity Paul writes in the following manner, Te are come to the general affembly and church of the first born, which are written in heaven and to the Spirits of just men made perfect. Saints in heaven, and faints on earth form but one body and have but one interest. The angels that maintained their integrity and now dwell with God are one in temper and aim with the believer. They are miniftering fpirits, fent forth to minifler for them whe fhall be heirs of falvation. They are commiffioned to protect, fupport and guide the children of heaven through the world; to fave them from the temptations of Satan and bring them fafely to glory. Saints are faid to have come unto mount Zion and to an innumerable company of angels. Michael, the archangel; the feraphim, the cherubim and all lower orders of thofe shining beings are on the fide of the faint. linefs. That God, whose counsel standeth and who doth all his pleafure; from whom Satan and all his fubjects derive their power and wisdom; that God, who can reftrain any of his creatures within what bounds he fees beft; who can make the evil defigns of the wicked productive of good and deftroy his adverfaries with the breath of his mouth; this being is engaged for the defence, the welfare and final triumph of the faint. Here we behold all the intelligent beings in the univerfe forming two vaft hofts, Satan at the head of one and God the Redeemer at the head of the other. Several important inferences may be drawn from the above statement. Ift. It is an honorable thing to be Chriftians. Good men are connected with the most refpectable part of mankind and the most worthy and exalted beings in the univerfe. They are united in the fame body with the virtuous and godly on earth and with the patriarchs and all those ancient worthies, who are now in heaven. They become fubjects of the fame kingdom and members of the fame fociety with the holy angels. Yes, my Chriftian readers, you are one with Christ, and Jehovah takes you under his peculiar care adopts you into his family and calls you children. How much honor do you derive from your new connections? When you become acquainted and connected with the firft and beft families of the land you feel yourfelves honored. How much more, when you are connected with all the righteous in ancient and modern times, with those spotless beings who furround the divine throne, with the Lamb, the Son Ggg In addition to all thefe forces, there is Chrift the Son of God, who leads them forth and fights the battles of the Chriftian as the captain of his falvation. He has eftablished his kingdom on a firm foundation and will ever maintain it, fince he has wisdom to plan and power to execute. God the Father and Spirit, as well as the Son are engaged in the fame caufe. VOL. II. No. 11. Ir zdly. It is dishonorable to be wicked men. Impenitent finners are of the fame fociety with all the vicious, filthy and profligate wretches that have appeared in the world. They fide with fuch as conftitute the off-fcouring of our race. Yes, finners, you are fellow-trial of your faith. workers with the infernal fpirits, with the angels who turned enemies to God. You are the fervants, the foldiers, the fubjects and children of the devil, who is the prince of darkness and father of lies. Are thefe connections hon orable in your estimation? Though you difown and defpife them, they are the most honorable connections you have formed. You have at tached yourselves to their intereft and heartily co-operate with them in upholding and promoting the fame wicked, wretched caufe.You would not be thought to have formed fuch difhonorable connections amongit men; yet you actually form fuch connections in a fpiritual fenfe much to your dif grace and I fear to your ruin. 3dly. There is fafety in being good men. Power, wisdom and goodnefs are on the fide of the Chriftian. Departed faints and holy angels-the Father, Son and Spirit are all united with the righteous in the fame caufe-the caufe of virtue, truth and religion. The faint will never be disappointed as to his ultimate object. That in which he feels molt interested will terminate well. O man of God! I would envy thee fooner than I would envy the fons of pleafure and fortune, or the princes of the earth with whom there is power and honor: For your caufe will profper and the defire of your heart will be given you! Your As you fee iniquity abounding and the enemies of the crofs increafing both in numbers and zeal, perhaps you are alarmed for the interefts of Zion. For your confolation, remember that the King of Zion reigneth and that the Judge of all the earth will do right. The caufe of truth and religion is defended by the united force of infinite wisdom and might. The |